-----
-----
"This is the support Stark was talking about? A car? What exactly is this car supposed to do?"
Dan was puzzled. Stark had seen Dolatron up close and even rode in it. He should've known they didn't need another ride.
"Mr. Dan, this is a battle vehicle built specifically for Mr. Erik, by Mr. Stark himself. As for its functions, I suggest Mr. Erik get in and experience it firsthand."
Damn, custom-built just for Erik? Stark really went all out.
Dan looked at Erik."He made this just for you. Go on, give it a spin."
Erik nodded."Alright. Let's check it out."
He climbed into the driver's seat and buckled in. Dan, curious, got into the passenger seat. The moment he did, he noticed something surprising—this car's setup looked a lot like Dolatron's.
That's when it clicked—Stark must've used Dolatron as a base and added his own tech flair.
"Heh… Young Stark, you really underestimate Belt-san. Just copying the shell won't get you far."
Just as Dan said that, Jarvis chimed in:
"Disguise mode off. Entering combat mode."
The entire vehicle began transforming—it looked like something straight out of Transformers.
The car's sleek frame shifted into a rugged armored form. The large windows shrank and got covered by a dark protective layer.
The control panel morphed too. Buttons for various weapons appeared, clean and easy to use. Simple and intuitive.
Dan smacked his own forehead."Well damn, that backfired fast."
"Welcome to the Stark-custom Ixa Combat Vehicle. Jarvis is at your service."
Erik ran a few quick tests to get a feel for the controls.
"I think I got the hang of it. This thing's practically a mobile arsenal—loaded with over a dozen different weapons."
Dan's mouth twitched.
"Heh… yup, pure Stark style alright."
If Stark could pack a whole bunch of weapons into a single Iron Man suit, of course he'd go nuts with a full-sized vehicle. Dude probably wanted to turn this thing into a freakin' mobile fortress.
Just then, Kurim called in.
"Dan, that person woke up."
"She's awake?!"
Dan and Erik exchanged a look.
"That's enough test driving for now. Let's head back."
Erik floored it and raced back to the base.
"How's Belt-san holding up?"
As soon as they got back, Dan saw Kurim's little bot waiting outside the door.
"She just woke up. Still kinda dazed—looks like she's not fully conscious yet."
Dan and Erik peeked into the observation room. Sure enough, she was sitting on the bed, looking totally lost and hollow-eyed.
"She looks like she's been through hell…"
Dan muttered softly.
Erik nodded."Yeah. I've seen a lot of people attacked by vampires. Some of them just broke after the trauma. This is the same look."
Kurim sighed."Poor soul… Who knows what kind of inhuman torture she went through? Being a lab rat for those monsters must've been unbearable."
Hearing that, Dan looked at the girl again, clenching his fist without realizing.
Suddenly, the girl seemed to sense their presence and slowly turned her head. She spotted them outside the window.
"AHHH!"
She screamed and curled up in the corner, hugging her head and shaking like a leaf.
Seeing her like that made all three of them ache inside.
Click.
"Dan, wait—!"
Before Erik and Kurim could stop him, Dan unlocked the door and walked inside.
He slowly approached the girl and crouched down in front of her.
"It's okay. Don't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt you."
He smiled gently, speaking softly.
"I don't know what you've been through, but I promise—no one's going to hurt you again. Not here."
The girl looked up at him, her bright blue eyes like gemstones, full of fear. Then she shrank back like a scared kitten.
Dan didn't give up. He slowly held out his hand.
"My name's Dan. I mean you no harm. Please… trust me."
The girl hesitated, then slowly reached toward his hand.
But suddenly, her expression twisted in fear.
"AHHH!"
She screamed again—and bit his hand. Hard.
Blood spilled out.
Then she scrambled back to the corner, hugging herself again.
"Dan!"
"Dan!"
Erik and Kurim were both shocked. Erik rushed forward, weapon in hand.
"I'm fine! No need to panic!"
Dan stopped them right away. Still smiling, he turned back to the girl and said gently:
"It's alright. I know you're scared. But I swear—we're not here to hurt you."
Then he quietly left the room and shut the door behind him.
"Dan, are you okay?!"
Erik looked at Dan's blood-soaked hand, eyes burning with fury.
"Figures… once a vampire, always a vampire. There's no point keeping her around. Let me finish her off now."
"Calm down, Erik. Seriously—do you even hear yourself? You're a vampire too, remember?"
Dan smiled bitterly, holding him back.
"Besides… she's not one of them. She's just a victim. A poor, helpless victim."
"Dan, are you out of your mind?! You went in there with zero protection! What if she had seriously hurt you?"
Kurim scolded him.
Dan realized he'd been reckless and apologized."Sorry. I just… she looked so lost and scared. I didn't think too much."
He headed toward the med kit.
"Why, though? What makes you think she's just a victim?"
Dan winced as he disinfected the bite wound with alcohol. Then he looked back with a soft smile.
"Her eyes. I saw it in her eyes—fear, confusion, helplessness. That's not the look of a monster. She's just… someone who's been through too much."
Kurim wanted to argue more, but couldn't find the words.
Erik just sighed and shook his head.
"What can I say, Dan… you really do have a kind heart."
The very first time Erik met Dan, he'd seen it—Dan's good nature. Always ready to help others, even risking his life for strangers.
"....."